One thing that all of my career coaching clients have in common: Whirlwind minds.

Everyday, they're playing a game of mental ping-pong, trying to figure out what the heck they want, how or if they can make it happen, and whether they deserve it.

One day, a possibility sounds promising. The next, they're...not so sure.

Navigating career questions is confusing and lonely. You can't be open with everyone around you about your dreams, doubts, and desires.

When you do share your dreams with others, you get advice and guidance that is often well-meaning but misguided.

Even within your own mind, it's a constant dialogue of tamping down the self-doubt.

It can make you feel like you're out of your mind…

Imposter Syndrome is the feeling that you're unworthy of the opportunities you've been granted—that you've gotten lucky or tricked everyone around you into thinking you're competent or smart enough.

Despite any success and accolades, you still feel like you're fooling everyone, and at some point they'll realize the mistake and find you out. You're forever doubting your abilities and waiting to be exposed as a fraud.

I see it especially in people who are stepping into new levels of leadership and responsibility or into a new work environment.

While it's a comfort to know that you're not the only one who may be carrying these self-doubts, it's time that we rethink this "syndrome" from something that holds us back to something that can propel us forward—as individuals, as companies, and as a society.

I have a new puppy / sidekick / coworker named Rosie. She's an adorable, quickly-growing, rescue beagle/terrier mix, and she is my first dog ever. What does having a dog have to do with leadership? As it turns out—everything.

Everyone has a mean voice in their head—a voice that tells you things like:
- You're not ready—don't try.
- You'll embarrass yourself and be a complete failure.
- Who do you think you are?
- No one will care what you have to say.

At first glance, it may appear that this voice—sometimes referred to as the inner critic or gremlin—is a jerk trying to keep you down. But actually, your gremlin is just misunderstood.

He or she showed up in your head sometime when you were young. Maybe you read a poem to the class and someone laughed at you, or you got new glasses that you thought were snazzy but the other kids teased you about. And this voice appeared to protect you, telling you to play it small—stay safe, don't stand out, don't take chances, don't put yourself out there—at every turn…